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Rapper Cassidy and R&B legend Stevie Wonder are among the guests featured on singer Tyrese Gibson's second Hip-Hop mixtape Ghetto Royalty. The 21-track disc, released under Gibson's rap moniker Black Ty, is the follow-up to the crooner's first mixtape offering, Best of Both Hoods Volume 1, which was hosted by DJ Warrior. Gibson recruited DJ S&S as the host for Ghetto Royalty, which also features appearances from Kurupt, Memphis Bleek, Big Tigger, Bishop Lamont, Erick Sermon, Ali, A-B, Curtains, Mane-O, and My Conscious. Since debuting as Black Ty last year, Gibson has worked with a variety of producers, including Sermon, Scott Storch, Mannie Fresh, Jazze Pha, and Jermaine Dupri. Ghetto Royalty will precede the singer/MC's forthcoming double album, Alter Ego, scheduled to hit stores Dec. 5. Fans can download Ghetto Royalty in its entirety for free for a limited time at headquarterentertainment.com.

The producer of Fresno Uncensored, a video portraying gang life in northern CA, was ordered to stand trial on two felony weapons charges for allegedly supplying gang members with guns during the making of the film. According to the Associated Press, Lonnell "Nitti" Greene, 29, released the 91-minute DVD in 2005, depicting gang members in confrontations with police, showing off gang tattoos, and growing marijuana. "A great percentage of the video contains criminal acts," Fresno police detective Ron Flowers testified Thursday (Sept. 21) in Fresno County Superior Court. Greene and his business associate, Marshall Day, said they made the film for entertainment purposes only, and that one of its main focuses was to showcase local Hip-Hop artists. They also claimed there was no intent to promote gangs or violence. If convicted, Greene faces up to eight years in prison on weapons charges with gang enhancements. As of Friday, he was being held in county jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, will relinquish the day-to-day operations of the group due to immediate health concerns. The 73-years-old spiritual leader, who was treated for prostate cancer in 2000, revealed that last March doctors in Cuba discovered an "ulcer in the anal area." According to reports, Farrakhan has lost over 20 pounds in the past six weeks. Doctors at Howard University discovered that he was dehydrated and anemic and had incurred a serious infection and inflammation. Farrakhan has canceled all public appearances, and the operations of the Nation of Islam will be handled by the group's executive board. Farrakhan has been instrumental in mediating several high profile disputes in the Hip-Hop community. In 1994, he facilitated dialog between feuding rappers Ice Cube and Common and in 2003 he mediated a violent feud between 50 Cent and Ja Rule. He was also the keynote speaker for the first ever Hip-Hop Summit, which took place in 2001.

The Soul Assassins--DJ Muggs, DJ Khalil, and Chace Infinite--are resurrecting their once-happening Unity Festival with a series of monthly concerts beginning Nov. 2 at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA. Muggs says the events have been essential to Los Angeles as "an integral part of the artistic community, as well as something that has been missing, and is needed." Rapper Ras Kass and producer the Alchemist will take the stage for their first joint performance at the festival, which will also include sets by Self Scientific--who will join Sick Symphonies--and a special surprise guest who will combine forces with Strong Arm Steady. Originally started under the name Unity in 1991 by William Lanakila Operin, aka "Bigga B," the Unity Festival has featured headliners such as Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Pharcyde, Freestyle Fellowship, Jay Z, Hieroglyphics, and Boot Camp Click. The concert quickly developed a reputation that sprang from its community atmosphere and the quality of the performing artists.

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